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| Certification: Can it make a difference? |
Disturbing news from the popular press:
From California : "The technician described he
would fill the sink with water and add about 10 pumps of solution to the sink
water. He stated he did not remember how he was taught the mixing procedure. He
stated he did not recall having this part of his job checked with his annual
competencies or his evaluation."
From Australia : "Thousands of former patients of a
Warrawong medical clinic will be told to undergo testing for HIV and other
blood-borne diseases after an investigation uncovered unsafe infection control
practices there."
Both of these stories are disturbing because they were
completely avoidable if the involved institutions insured that staff
were certified and participating in ongoing competency training.
In my view, right now two professions are at the cross
roads when it comes to certification: Biomedical Engineering and Sterile
Processing. As of today, almost anyone can show up in both of these fields
and get a job without certification of some type (other than New Jersey for the
Sterile Processing technician). This has the potential for danger in both
areas.
We need to stop the stories of staff not understanding
why they have to "do it the right way each and every time," because if not,
harm could befall a patient.
Certification is only one part of the answer. It will
not solve all of the issues, but it is a good start. Both the Biomedical and
Sterile Processing area are key to patient safety and reducing hospital
infections. Get involved with your professional group and support
certification.
Healthmark is trying to help raise this level by posting
on our home page meetings and seminars for healthcare professionals so
they can attend training sessions in their area.
I do hope that when you review these stories you reflect
on your work practice and try to make a difference because I would hate to see
you or your hospital in the headlines. Let us learn from the mistakes of
others.
Sincerely,
Steven Kovach
Director of Education
Healthmark Industries Company, Inc. |
| News Headlines |
California Health Department Report on Page 19 Show Dirty Instruments Used at Hospital...READ FULL STORY...Thousands Face HIV, Hepatitis Tests; Dirty Scopes are Still an Issue...READ FULL STORY...Keyboards Adding To Infection Control Issues...READ FULL STORY...New White Paper Helps Medical Device Manufacturers Validate Cleaning Processes...READ FULL STORY...
READ FULL STORY...
CDC Releases State-Specific HAI Data Report...
READ FULL STORY...
First Remote Heart Operation Carried Out Using a Robotic Arm...
READ FULL STORY...
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| Thank You for Your Continued Interest! |
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Thank you very much for reading our 54th edition of Healthmarket Digest. We are very excited to have you as a member of our online community.
Sincerely,
Alex Kirk
Healthmark Industries Company, Inc.
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